Geoenvironmental Cleanup from Copper Smelters

The City of Douglas, Arizona housed a copper smelter which was operational from 1902 to 1987.  Beginning in August, 2014, soil sampling firms have been performing soil investigations in Douglas, Arizona to determine the concentrations of copper smelters from past emissions in the soil.  

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) performed environmental soil sampling investigations several years ago.  The EPA concluded that the concentrations of smelter metals throughout the site required no clean up.  However, the current abandoned smelter's property owner, Freeport Mineral Corporation (FMC), has agreed to perform soil investigations within any of the surrounding 1,380 property owners property, upon request.  FMC will determine the concentration of smelter metals, including copper, iron, and lead.  If concentrations exceed established concentrations set by the EPA, FMC is providing remediation and soil replacement services.  

Please see the original report at City of Douglas Dispatch.  FMC is providing remediation services through mid 2016.